Hampshire College courses are divided into three levels. The 100 (exploratory) and 200 (foundational) courses are open to all students. The 300 (advanced) courses, designed primarily for upper-division students, require previous background.

Hampshire College operates on a divisional system, not a credit hour system. Students receive narrative evaluations instead of grades for all completed courses and at the end of each division. Courses for which we recommend a full four-credit equivalence meet a minimum of 160 minutes per week for the duration of our semester and include advising days and divisional progress review periods. Students from one of the other four colleges who take Hampshire College courses and Hampshire students who transfer to other institutions generally receive four credits per academic course. Our guidelines for what constitutes successful completion of each of our divisions can be found in the student handbook.

First-Year Tutorials

Organized as small seminars, tutorials are offered by faculty in each of the schools, and are designed especially for entering students. Tutorials develop academic content areas, cultivate methods of inquiry, and introduce students to the larger academic life of the College.

Each tutorial is led by a faculty member who serves as the academic advisor for each student enrolled in the course.

Advisors also provide general academic advice to aid in course selection, academic development, and the transition to advanced study in Divisions II and III.

100 Exploratory Courses (often seminars)

These courses emphasize individual attention to students' needs and interests, engage students directly in the excitement of learning, and allow opportunity for close faculty/student relationships and evaluation of students' skills and preparation.

200 Foundational Courses

Explore subject matter needed by students in any division. These can be "skills courses" (statistics, computer programming, and dance techniques). They can be general surveys or introduction-to-the-field courses, designed to convey a large body of information (e.g., introduction to economics). They can be "foundational" in that they present the combination of skills and concepts that are required for any further work in the area (e.g., Film or Photo I). Or, they can be designed to cover a body of central theories or methodologies.

300 Advanced Seminars and Courses

Taught on an advanced level and presume some background or experience on the part of the student.